Tag: Review

What a month. Not only did I, Tonya prove The Skeleton Twins’ Craig Gillespie to be more than a one hit wonder, but Black Panther delivered – and then went on to make a billion for Disney and set tongues wagging about a potential Best Picture nomination come February next year. But first, let’s rewind to the start.

The fourth entry in the Insidious franchise, The Last Key, rested solely on Lin Shaye’s shoulders, while attempting to tie the backstory of her life with the sinister events that impacted the Lambert family from the first two films. I love Shaye and her role as parapsychologist Elise, but this series has run its course by a long mile. Continue reading “Film Diary: February 2018”→

The month kicked off as any year usually does, with a handful of potential Oscar nominees finally hitting UK cinemas after their festival debuts the year before. Darkest Hour featured a blistering performance from Gary Oldman, though little else. Joe Wright’s drama about Churchill in the lead up to Dunkirk rested on the talents of its lead, who mostly kept things afloat even when the script faltered. As someone who disliked Pan, but loved Atonement, I’m also searching for a Wright film to match up to that. This isn’t it, though it can still be admired for what it is. Continue reading “Film Diary: January 2018”→

Superman (Henry Cavill) is dead. The world’s crime rate is rising and a supernatural threat could mean global destruction (a worn-out staple of most modern superhero films). Batman (Ben Affleck), with the help of Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), assembles a team to fight back and preserve the Kryptonian’s pursuit of peace. DC’s latest attempt to spur their cinematic universe to life has been plagued by post-production troubles and an absurd budget. Continue reading “Review: Justice League (2017)”→

It’s been three years since this Peruvian bear’s first big screen adventure chalked up a storm at the box office. In a sequel that more than matches up to its predecessor, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) has his eye on a pop-up book as a present for Aunt Lucy’s birthday. But when it’s stolen by a mysterious figure, Paddington – along with the Brown family and some new friends – must catch the thief before it’s too late. Continue reading “Review: Paddington 2 (2017)”→

Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery receives a star-studded if dreary update, directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also takes on the lead role of Hercule Poirot. The detective, on his way to London to solve another case, finds himself embroiled in an unexpected murder – one that takes place on the very train he’s travelling on. Each and every passenger is a suspect, most of whom are played by A-list talent dressed up but without the dialogue, including Judi Dench, Penélope Cruz and Josh Gad. Continue reading “Review: Murder On The Orient Express (2017)”→

Taika Waititi breathes life – and plentiful humour – into Thor: Ragnarok, a fun, yet patchy entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor, who must make peace with brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in order to stop Hela (Cate Blanchett), their evil, long lost sister who’s sent them packing from Asgard in the hopes of wreaking destruction. Continue reading “Review: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)”→

The sequel to last year’s breakout hit covers much of the same material as its predecessor, only with less less humour and more forced sentimentality. Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn (once more the standout) return for more shenanigans, this time with their own mothers pitching up in the run up to Christmas, each of them bringing their own baggage to be worked through. Continue reading “Review: A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)”→

After receiving awards attention for The Lobster, Colin Farrell reunites with its director Yorgos Lanthimos for The Killing Of A Sacred Deer, a pitch black comedy that puts a modern twist on a Greek myth. Steven (Farrell), a cardiac surgeon, leads an idyllic suburban life with his wife, Anna (Nicole Kidman), and their two kids Continue reading “Review: The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017)”→

Luca Guadagnino continues his recent streak of sumptuous dramas set in exotic locales with coming-of-age romance Call Me By Your Name, conveivably the most commercial of all. Elio (Timothée Chalamet), an intelligent 17-year-old who lives with his parents in their rustic villa in the North of Italy, becomes infatuated with Oliver (Armie Hammer), a scholar who comes to stay for the summer. Continue reading “Review: Call Me By Your Name (2017)”→